My Favorite Mexican Restaurant

Over the past 5 years or so, I have started to eat even healthier than I did before. I don't follow Dr. Gundry's diet that I commenced in 2019 that closely, but I do pay attention to his ideas (avoid lectins). I mentioned this diet when I wrote about my progress with bronchiectasis in early April.

One of the things I have learned in life is most things are probably okay in moderation. Mexican food is one of those things! Living in Houston, there is plenty, and I ate this week after acupuncture at one of my favorites, Picos.

The restaurant has been around for a bit longer than I have been living in Houston since my return in 1994 from NYC. The founder, Arnaldo Richards, who grew up in Mexico, has done a fantastic job. After graduating from the University of Houston in 1981, he opened another restaurant. One of the things I like about his story is that he has let his daughter, Monica Richards De Osberg, step up. She served as Beverage Director.

It has long been a favorite of my entire family. Arnaldo got started with Picos in Bellaire, which is a city within Houston, in 1984. My family bought a house in Bellaire in 2000, and we took our kids there at their very young ages. They loved it! We went there a lot, and we would sit outside. Delicious and fun!

In 2014, I learned that it was leaving its original location to move to its current location on Kirby and Richmond. I did not understand the move, but I knew that location. I remembered it very fondly. I was a big fan of Ninfa's, and so were my grandparents. I recalled dining with Fran and them there before my grandfather passed away. I don't remember the exact date of our trip to that former Ninfa's, but he died in 2000, so it may have been before I first ate at Picos.

We now live very near Picos. I walked home the other day! I don't want to give the restaurant credit for our move to Montrose, which is nearby, in 2018, but maybe it did play a role. While it wasn't clear to us why Picos moved, we were quite happy with the new location and the fact that the prices didn't shoot up despite the better location. After we moved closer, we began eating there often. During the pandemic, it was about the only restaurant at which we would dine (outside on the covered patio).

At lunch last week, I ordered my favorite dish, Nachos Jorge (cochinita pibil, refried black beans, chihuahua cheese, spicy xni-pec, guacamole and fresh jalapeño):

It was quick, affordable and delicious! I am glad that it is back on the menu, as Fran and I were ordering our old favorite as an off-the-menu item. And we love their margaritas!

Is Picos the best Mexican restaurant in Houston? I don't know! But, it is my favorite. Good people, good food and good location, all at a reasonable price.